Very well put, Greg. Thank you! Brian Hamshar Virginia
Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> wrote: >David wrote: > >> As as a long-time New England caller, I admit to a special fondness for >> the so-called chestnuts, most of which are in proper formation; I think >> that dancers can appreciate having these in their repertoire as a >> connection to the long traditions of music and dance we inherit, and a >> community does well to foster those connections. >> > >I think fostering "...connections to the long traditions of music an dance >we inherit,..." is a good and important goal. The question is one of venue >for this purpose. > >If we are talking about open, public contra dances (as opposed to a >gathering of social dance enthusiasts) then I would urge callers to be >mindful of the central, social purpose of these events. > >I see the regular open, public contra dances as social events and as public >outreach events. In essence the dance community is offering a social >event--with live music and called dances--to the general community. Our >flyers say "No experience needed." and "No need to bring a partner." That >implies an open social event. > >Personally, I do not attend these social events to be connected with an >historic tradition, to learn the history of that tradition, or to re-enact >some of the historic dances done in generations past. My own research >suggests that most of those in the hall at these events do not come for >those reasons either. People attend open, public dances primarily for the >social experience. > >While there is certainly a place for some "cultural enrichment" at open, >public social dance events we need to keep focused on the purpose of the >venue. There are camps, festivals, workshops, and special events that may >be more appropriate for this kind of diversified cultural enrichment--and I >hope dance communities continue to offer such events, which are targeted >specifically for social dance enthusiasts. > >But I do not attend the open, public contra dances to stand and listen to >lectures, or to learn complex dance figures and to hear about the history >of the name of each dance, who wrote the dance, or what that person said >once at a dance festival. No offense intended. I can tolerate only a >limited amount of cultural enrichment at social events I attend. > >As a caller at open, public contra dances I see my role differently. I >want people to experience the excitement and joy of dancing to live >music--without having to attend separate classes. I want the regulars to >experience the excitement and joy of sharing their passion for social >dancing with newcomers who are discovering this tradition for the first >time. > >We should talk more about our purpose, the purpose of the event, and the >purposes of those who attend. There is certainly room for those who seek a >deep understanding of the cultural roots of the dance. We should discuss >how that goal can best be achieved. > >Soapbox is now available. > >- Greg McKenzie >_______________________________________________ >Callers mailing list >[email protected] >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
